Page 12 of Marrying the Guide
“It’s something I’ve never done either, so we’ll both be outside our comfort zones. We’re going to a pottery class where Clara, our instructor, will help us make a vase.”
I shot a quick look sideways. His face lit up. “Pottery? Oh, that sounds like fun. I’m not sure I’ll be any good at it, but it will be exciting to try.”
“I’ll probably suck at it because I have the artistic skills of a squirrel, but that’s okay. It’ll be fun to learn together, right?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
He put his hand on my thigh. Goosebumps pebbled on my skin at that simple contact, and my dick also made its interest known. Bubbles had been right. I did have it bad. “For being so intentional and thoughtful in coming up with an idea for our date.”
The warmth flooding me was unlike anything else. “You are so welcome. I’ve been looking forward to our date all week.”
“Yeah?” He removed his hand, and I missed it instantly. “What did you do this week? More kayaking and hiking?”
“I led an advanced three-hour kayak tour. That one was a challenge because of the rain, but we had a fun group, so that helped. And yesterday, I assisted with a rock-climbing outing.”
“You do rock climbing?”
“Not if I can avoid it. I know the basics, but I don’t have the body type for it. You need to be light and nimble, and that’s not me. But I’m excellent at belaying, so I’m the guy who holds the other end of the rope in case someone slips and falls. It’s not myfavorite activity, since it involves a lot of standing and watching, but that’s also part of my job.”
“Rock climbing is something I won’t even try. I lack the necessary motor skills for that.”
“I’m sure you could learn if you put your mind to it, but if it doesn’t appeal to you, why would you? There are plenty of other fun activities you can do.”
He hummed in agreement. “What’s your favorite? Out of all the outdoor stuff you do, I mean.”
I didn’t need to think long. “Hiking. Heading into the mountains. Nature relaxes me, helps me find peace, and I love the physical exertion.”
“After I did the hike, I did some reading on it.” Onno laughed. “I know, I should’ve done that beforehand and prevented the blisters, but I didn’t. Anyway, I read some articles online, and it’s not as easy as it seems. And not as risk-free either. Which I’m sure you know since you do search and rescue.”
I let out a sigh. “Unfortunately, people underestimate the risks. Every year, we have to rescue people who get stranded because of inadequate preparation.”
“Like what?”
“Not bringing enough water or food, forgetting rain gear or cold weather clothing, not anticipating changes in the weather. Or they get lost because they can’t use a compass and have no clue where they are. Sure, we have rescues where people did everything right but an accident still happened. Two years ago, I had to rescue a fellow S&R volunteer who had slipped on a slick rock and broken his ankle. Freak accidents happen, and I never get annoyed over those. But it does baffle me how people can head into the mountains without any sense of the dangers.”
“I wouldn’t have known either.”
“No, but you didn’t go by yourself. You went with a guided tour and followed our gear list to a T.”
Onno chuckled. “I did. Joost drove me to REI in Seattle to get everything I needed. We don’t have the same shoe size, unfortunately, or I could’ve worn his boots.”
It spoke volumes about his character that he’d bought those things for a one-time outing. “We should go for another hike if only to make sure you use your gear again.”
He shot me an incredulous look. “You wanna go hiking with me again?”
“Absolutely. Now that you know you have to break in your boots, you could prepare. And we’ll take it nice and slow so you can enjoy the experience.”
He put his hand on my thigh again. “You are the sweetest to suggest it.”
This time, he left his hand there, and the warmth burned right into my soul.
5
ONNO
Clara was a riot. She was a seventysomething woman with wild curly hair that cascaded around her shoulders like a lion’s mane. With her kaftan bursting with psychedelic colors, she looked like she’d never left the seventies behind her and was now living her best life making gorgeous pottery, cracking dirty jokes, and spinning wildly entertaining tales. Originally from South Carolina, she’d never lost her Southern twang.